What gear should I buy?

[agskyboard 0]

Hey Guys,'
I'm new to the skydiving world, in fact I haven't jumped yet...but I know that I'm going to like it so I'm trying to do some advanced research. I plan on getting my Class A and then buying some gear and progressing through the ranks to become a Coach. When I buy my gear, I want to buy gear that I will use for many hundred jumps. I'm around 200 lbs with an althletic build....what would be a good canopy size for me? If I am looking to spend under 3k for all my gear, what gear would be great for my future plans....and is used gear a good option and where should I get it?
I appreciate your advice,
Justin

[PhreeZone 20]

Go make a jump first. Then go though the student program and see what your instructors think would be good for you. $3000 can get you a decent used rig, but most people typically out grow their first ring with in 300 jumps and get different one.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

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[Elisha 1]

Quote

Go make a jump first. Then go though the student program and see what your instructors think would be good for you. $3000 can get you a decent used rig, but most people typically out grow their first ring with in 300 jumps and get different one.

As he said...

It's probably best to find something used that works for you for those "first 300".

[agskyboard 0]

Is there a particular place on the internet that is known for selling nice and inexpensive used rigs? What altimeter, helmet, and jumpsuit would you recommend for jumps 40-300?

[Feeblemind 1]

As they said make your 1st jumps and then speak with your instructor and loft. If you are of avg size and build you can get some very nice used gear. if your built like me you better start saving I am in my gear for over 5 grand, but most of it is new.

Phil

Fire Safety Tip: Don't fry bacon while naked

[GravityGirl 0]

So that means all he has to do is wait for you to downsize, and pick up your used gear.

It's impossible to give accurate gear advise without any skydiving history.

So I'll concur. Go make a skydive. If you like it, do another. Student gear is included in your program. Once you have done your student jumps, you and your instructors will have a better idea of what you need.

One of the biggest factors in determining gear choices would be your adaptation to human flight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[Guest]

If you're anything like me you won't be standing up your first couple of landings. So since you'll probably be paying a pretty penny for rental gear anyway, get those PLFs and buttslides out of the way on rental gear and your own shiny new gear may stay that way a little longer

.02
blue ones

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[mdrejhon 8]

Newbie here too.

Worry about it after you get your A (or when you need gear to get your A). Renting is absolutely essential at first.

In some ways, I'm sorta glad I waited until jump 60 before I had my own rig. (Test jumped it during jump #59)

You might be going through several sizes of student canopies before stabilizing on a novice canopy (commonly a 1.0 wing load which is the number of pounds per square feet of canopy, in case you didn't know). It gave me time to migrate gracefully off the big Manta canopy to the novice Sabre canopy, so I'll be able to jump my Sabre 170 canopy (at 1.1 wingload) for a a few hundred jumps at least.

Therefore, it's a waste to be gear shopping right now. You may end up having to get rid of it all and buying all over again.

When I'm ready for the right kind of canopy coaching and becoming very familiar with this canopy, I'll even be able to start basic high performance approaches such as learning double front risers on it eventually (and maybe 45-degree and 90-degree basic swoop approaches) before I even downsize, I'm interested in learning to swoop someday... Stuff that newbies (including me) often won't be doing till they're in the 3-digit jump numbers...

Your instructors will make recommendations based on your flying skills....

[agskyboard 0]

I appreciate the responses. I figured I wouldn't buy my gear until around dive 40 or so because I do want to test out some gear. I was mostly curious if there is a really well known place that sells safe and inexpensive equipment. And if there is a particular brand of gear that is ideal for dives 40-300. Is there a specific wing loading that is typical for these dives (1.0-1.1)?